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Vocal Play

Singing is supposed to be FUN –says Mister Tim

The American a cappella vocal band Naturally7 uses the term “Vocal Play” to describe their skills of instrument imitation and all-vocal funky sound-making.

The phrase reminds me that singing is supposed to be > read more

New Year’s Revolutions

Difficulty is the fertilizer of the bonsai tree of achievement –says Mister Tim

The planetoid I call ‘home’ has circled the star I call ‘Susan’ one more time, and almost a year to the day after I wrapped up my last stint as Voice Council Vocal Coach in Residence I’m back – and as excited as ever to hear and comment on great singers!

A lot happens in 365 days, but far more does not happen.

Years are full of accomplishments, but also failures; milestones reached through effort and determination, but also missed opportunities; miraculous turns of events, but also great promises that fail to materialize.

The natural progression of events determines that nothing ever turns out exactly the way we hope, or dream, or plan.

There are simply too many forces at work, too many variations caused by influences we cannot control.

However, the changes to our original expectations are just as often good as they are bad!

I do not believe anyone has achieved something truly great without passing through experiences that are deeply, truly, soul-crushingly difficult.

But that is fine: we do not pursue great things because it is ‘fun,’ but to satisfy greater needs and longings, so periods of difficulty, discomfort, or disappointment are worth it because the reward we get later is so much greater.

To start our new year, some thoughts and suggestions:

* Difficulty is the fertilizer of the bonsai tree of achievement

* Don’t mistake movement for progress

* Don’t mistake confidence for knowledge, or talent, or expertise

* Embrace the things you can control as well as the things you cannot

* Never pass up the opportunity to use a trebuchet to hurl a piano

- Mister Tim

My Reactions To This Week’s Peer Review Vid

Lauren Tate – Speechless (cover)

Let’s start the young year with a young singer! Lauren, so much you are doing well! Big voice, big personality –truly excellent work. You display an ease of voice and of delivery far beyond your years. You have a collection of gestures, both vocal and physical, that often come across as learned but not understood. Think about the ways you move your hands, eyes, face, and voice, and make sure you are serving the song. Most basically, begin by deciding what you want to focus on while you sing: the camera, or a person, or someplace in the audience, and direct your energy there.

(also be sure to check out next week’s topic, which applies especially to young talented singers –like you.)

If you’re signed up to VoiceCouncil’s Peer-Review, you’ll be receiving unique coaching feedback from Mister Tim for the next 8 weeks. You can sign up now.

Mister Tim is a modern voice artist who respects the history of the vocal arts while not being afraid to push into new, uncharted territory. He artistic directs an eclectic array of vocal ensembles that range from traditional choral to cutting-edge, technology-based, ultra-modern vocal rock bands. A published composer, award-winning recording artist, and in-demand performer and teacher, Mister Tim is also a viral video star, sponsored kazoo player, and dedicated husband and father. He created and sings with 2010 Harmony Sweepstakes champions Plumbers of Rome, internet sensations moosebutter, beatbox online teachers and performers Mouth Beats, and all-original vocal band THROAT. He also tours with his solo vocal live-looping/beatbox shows.
www.mistertimdotcom.com and www.vocalitysingers.com

Submit Your Own Video for Peer Review

4 Depression-Busting New Year’s Resolutions for Vocalists

Have a better relationship with yourself and your vocal work in 2012 -says Eric Maisel

Many people find themselves regularly (and sometimes chronically) sad.

This sadness has for many decades routinely been converted into the “mental disorder” of “depression” by the labeling tactics of the mental health industry.

The sadness is real; the “depression” label is a label.

One huge resolution you can make in 2012 is to come to your own conclusions about the differences between “depression” and sadness.

You may come to realize that you don’t have a “mental disorder” but rather are challenged and troubled in ways that make you sad—and that you can do something about that!

Here are four resolutions to support you in that effort.

You might also want to use my book Rethinking Depression: How to Shed Mental Health Labels and Create Personal Meaning as part of that effort.

Resolution 1. I will focus more on where I intend to make meaning than on what mood I find myself in.
You might decide to make a lot of meaning in 2012 by paying new attention to your practice routine, your song creation, your marketplace efforts, and so on and by starting out each day asking “Where should I make some meaning today?” rather than “What mood am I in?”

Resolution 2. If I’m feeling sad, discouraged, anxious, or out of sorts, I won’t automatically label myself “depressed.”
You might decide to hold off on accepting a mental health label for yourself and look instead at what you can do to feel less sad: opting for self-talk that serves you better, changing unsatisfactory relationships, recommitting to your dreams, goals, and ambitions, trying out some new solutions to life’s intractable problems, and so on.

Resolution 3. I will make clear decisions every day about where I want to invest my time and energy.
You might decide to approach each day more energetically and more mindfully by starting each day with a “morning meaning check-in” where you decide where you want to invest meaning on that day: in your singing practice, in approaching the musical marketplace, in enjoying your loved ones, in being of service, in creating some new songs, and so on. Approaching each new day this way is a sure way to make meaning and making meaning helps reduce your experience of sadness.

Resolution 4. I will endeavor to prove the exception in every way.
Most people do not manifest their potential, carefully organize their days and their lives so as not to waste them, take necessary risks that would serve them, learn how to deal with the inevitable anxieties of life (including performance anxiety), reach powerfully into the marketplace, and so on. Decide that you will not be this ordinary; decide that you would prefer to prove the exception. That won’t be easy; but your hard-won results will make you proud—and go a long way toward keeping your sadness at bay.

Eric Maisel, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, bestselling author of 40 books, and widely regarded as America’s foremost creativity coach. His latest book is Rethinking Depression: How to Shed Mental Health Labels and Create Personal Meaning (New World Library, February, 2012). He is the founder of noimetic psychology, the new psychology of meaning. Please visit Dr. Maisel at www.ericmaisel.com or contact him at ericmaisel@hotmail.com. Learn more about noimetic psychology.

Secure Your Singing Future

Follow these 5 tips and you can have a life-long singing journey -says Juliet Russell

As Artistic Director of Sense of Sound, I have worked with hundreds of professional and aspiring vocalists.

What makes the difference between being a good singer and having a successful career?

Other than talent and commitment, the answer to this question has to do with cultivating some key habits:

1. Follow Your Passion
Sing because you love it, not because you think it will make you rich, popular or even famous. That’s not to say these things won’t happen as a consequence, but they’re not the main event. To sustain a career in music you have to love what you do. Passion glows. If you know the only thing you can possibly do with your life is to sing and make music, it’s the right career for you.

2. Engage With The World
Any art form is about communication; how we as humans share an experience with others. Some of the best music has been made by people who know What’s Going On* and are tuned into the world around them. By sharing our experiences and giving a creative voice to the wider world we reflect, illuminate and sometimes even help to bring about change.

3. Look After Yourself
Look after your voice and your voice will look after you (usually). Although some singers can live a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and still have a great functioning voice, the truth is that most can’t. Be a vocal athlete. The vast majority of singers train before going on tour. They warm up. They work out. They eat healthily. They have vocal coaches. It’s not because it’s fashionable, it’s because it’s essential. It’s good to find a healthy balance in your life – whatever works for you. Always find time to have fun and enjoy yourself. Your mental and emotional wellbeing are as important as your physical health. Switch off, de-stress, learn to relax the body and mind and get a good night’s sleep whenever you can.

4. Get Organised
Singers are among the busiest people I know and in a changing music industry, being organised is essential. Aside from the basics such being on time, learning the songs etc., many singers now find themselves in the role of manager, band leader, song writer, agent, secretary, website designer, driver, roadie, label manager… That’s a lot of jobs. It’s impossible to be effective if you either haven’t got a team around you or you are not organised. Prioritise your goals in terms of practise and performance. Essential organisational tools such as a database, linked communications, social media, networks, an online calendar and basic financial skills can make a huge difference to how effective, and consequently how successful, you are.

5. Never Stop Learning
Whether it’s going to gigs, listening to new artists or experimenting with a new vocal technique or musical style, there’s a whole wonderful world of music out there waiting to be explored. Be brave. Challenge yourself. Some of the most influential artists in popular music are those who have taken chances, experimented and pushed themselves out of a perceived limit or comfort zone. We can all do that. As part of our artistic journey we can commit to learning, creating and evolving throughout our lives.

* seminal album by Marvin Gaye

Juliet Russell is a founder and Artistic Director of Sense of Sound, a company that creates and produces amazing ways to celebrate singing. She has performed with some of the UK’s most illustrious artists including Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Paloma Faith, Seal, Imogen Heap and Ringo Starr. She has coached vocalists from Grammy award winners to X-Factor finalists and is passionate about developing artists and helping people to achieve their creative and vocal potential. www.senseofsound.org

Bio Photo credit Geraint Davies
Original Photo for feature image, CocteauBoy on Flickr

Has Adele Been A Bad Girl?

All gigging singers can empathize with and learn from Adele –says Kathy Alexander

She used to smoke. She has bad talking habits. Is Adele responsible for wrecking her own voice?

One thing is for sure: blaming the singer with aloof accusations can ignore the big picture.

Adele Adkins is, after all, a gifted and driven young artist who is paying a price for her high performance standards and a relentless schedule.

Even with perfect training and health, it’s a lot to > read more

Moving Beyond Covers

How do you stop being defined by “covers” and become your own artist? -asks Petra Tool

Johnny Rosenberg came to my portrait studio, dressed in a T-shirt, waistcoat, jeans, sneakers, wristbands and necklaces.

When he started to sing a couple of quiet, tender jazzy songs, accompanying himself on his guitar, I was > read more

Your Vocal Therapy

Sometimes the best healing is free of charge – says Christoffer Brodersen of Basix

Though I am a professional vocalist, I also have to say that singing is a kind of therapy.

In fact, “getting something out of your system” is important for one’s inner balance.

Think about this: we hear so many things every day, we have so many inputs from people we talk to, music, commercials, etc.!

So, it’s very important that we have some kind of “output” – to match the input so to speak.

Vocal Repression

I suspect that the reason some drunk people sing loudly is that they have > read more

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Extreme Singing II – Belting

Whether it’s twanging, belting or distortion, your voice needs to work smarter, not harder -says Dane Chalfin

One of the principles that I hope emerges throughout this series has to do with redefining the term “work” in the phrase “vocal work”.

It seems that many vocalists think that if they have pain when they sing, that they are working hard.

It is so important to realize that although there can be much muscular work in your body involved in your signature sounds, each of these sounds must be > read more

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The Ultimate Affair

Jazz artist Emily Braden shares how vocalists get hot and steamy again – with music.

Singing is that one thing for me.

It alters me chemically, rewrites my reality, enhances and romances me, cleanses and connects me, drugs, heals and soothes me, forgives and accepts me, intensifies and satisfies me.

Such a hold it has – and I am lucky to know such a love affair.

Yet, singing is not the > read more

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The Road to Your Vocalist Dreams

Petra Tool is an artist who examines…artists.

A gifted portrait artist, she explores the personalities of gifted performers, interviewing them about their talent, passions, the problems they face, their insecurities and secrets of their success.

Under her intense gaze, vocalists may find that the wisdom to pursue their dreams is inside, waiting to come out.

Amber Gomaa really stands out on the stage.

With her black curly hair and delicate blue dress, she immediately caught my attention. (See full sized image below.)

And when she ended her solo with > read more

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